Container



Feb.1es,1943. y RQCARLSON K' 2,311,291l

CONTAINER Filed Jan. 2, 1940 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 416, 1943 CONTAINER Robert C. Carlson, Terrace Park, Ohio, assignor to John J. Emery, doing business as Emery Carpenter Container Ohio Company, Cincinnati,

Application January 2, 1940, serial Na. 312,061

8 Claims.

-This invention relates to containers which are made of flberboard, paperboard, or like material. The invention is directed particularly to a container which is of generally cylindrical form of the type adapted for use in the shipping of to provide a container of this general type which` is more suitable for use in the trade than those which heretofore have been available. More specifically. thel object has been to provide a container which has a very firm base or bottom structure enabling the containers to be rolled upon their rims when they are being handled,

and also enabling the containers to be stacked one on top` of another without danger of them collapsing or buckling.

Another object, and one which is very important from the commercial point ofview, has been to provide a container embodyingthese .structural advantages as well as low cost of manufactur. While in some. instances the containers are used repeatedly, they are, for the most part, discarded after one or two trips and, consequently, it is requisite that the cost of' manufacturing them be as l. as possible. The present invention embodies -economy of manufacture with structural stability to a degree not heretofore achieved in articles for similar purposes.

Briefly, the containers of the present invention are formed of acylindrical tube, or annular wall or body portion, which is made of f'lberboard of suitable thickness, commensurate with the quantity or weight of material intended to be packaged. One end of the tube or body is shaped and configurated inwardly so as to provide aV flange which forms a foundation-for the base structure. This ange extends annularly within the cylindrical wall, leaving a central opening which is subsequently sealed. However, the inner pe'- riphery of the base flange is of lesser diameter and, consequently, lesser periphery than the body itself, so that the turning of the flange provides more material than that required for its formation. It is the concept of the present invention to employ the excess of material for forming pleats in the flange so that its structural stability is greatly improved against lateral or longitudinal collapse or rupture. The pleats are of radial corrugated formation and are widest at the I inner edge of the flange, that is, at the portionwhich is normally weakest, and taper gradually in width as they approach the external surface of the drum, since at this area there is less difference in diameter and consequently less excess of material. The pleats are spaced about the flange uniformly, each strengthening the portions of the flange adjacent to it.l Collectively, the pleats serve to reinforce the edge portion of the drum which is normally the weakest portion, and also to rigidify the entire base flange about which the bottom of the container is fashioned.

The center portion ofthe base flange prefer ably is so formed that it is offstet above the base, leaving an annular groove adjacent the internal surface of the body `of the carton. A bottom disc is provided and wedged within this annular cavity of the base, and a filler disc is now installed within' the opening in the flange itself. These two disc members are preferably glued together.

The next featureof the invention which is important when powdery or finely ground materials are to be shipped is the utilization of a sheet of relatively light weight extending across the bottom flange within the container and downwardly within and across the internal annular recess. For holding this disc sheet in place and for strengthening the bottom rim of the container, a ring is pressed and wedged into the annular recess in the bottom of the drum. This latter member serves to hold the bottom sheet in stretched position and seals any cavities throughwhich the powdered material might tend to escape from the interior of the carton. A relatively heavy bottom disc is installed within the cavity over the sealing sheet so as to cover the sealing ring and sealing sheet and provide the container 'with a smooth bottom-. If desired, a removable leaf or sheet may be installed over this heavier disc so as to protect the bottom disc of the container from becoming contaminated if the container is to be used for holding iirst one substance and then another.

The cover of the container is formed of a ring which is of substantially the same externaldiameter as the body of the carton, with the carton and the ring being counter turned or otherwise congurated so that the two telescoplcally engage one another and are flush at their outer surfaces. The upper portion of the cover ring, like the bottom of the container, is turned inwardly and pleats are formed ofthe excess of material so that the cover, like the bttom,is of a strengthened construction.

In the top structure, it is the recommended procedure to attach a member'which is of the diameter of the ring to the inturned pleated flange and install discs within and about the flange aperture, all three being stitched or otherwise connected together. A removable leaf or sheet also can be installed in the cover if ,desired, so as to prevent the internal disc of it from becoming contaminated `with chemicals if the container is intended for use in the transportation of different chemicals at different times.

It is preferable in the manufacture of the containers of the present invention to pleat the flanges while the material undergoing configuration is in a relatively moist condition, so as to permit its bers to slip relatively over one another and be compressed together. In the construction, the pleated material is subjected to pressure so that the surfaces of the pleated areas are ush with the surfaces of the adjoining portions. Each pleat is of such dimension that collectively the excess of material resulting from the difference in peripheries; between the inside and outside diameters of the flanges is entirely consumed. The dimensions, of course, depend largely upon the flange diameters and the number of pleats to be utilized.

The method of forming the pleats is disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 351,820. However, for the purpose of enabling the present invention to-be readily understood from the present disclosure, the method of forming the pleats at spaced intervals comprises generally pressing against the terminal edge of one end of the body as with fingers extending radially from the body of the container, so that the localized pressures serve initially to kink the material as well as bend it inwardly. 'I'he material, once kinked, forms itself conveniently into uniform pleats when it is subjected to further pressure and configurating operations.

A preferred type of container manufactured in accordance with the present invention is disclose in the accompanying drawing. The various modifications to which the structure is adapted readily will be understood by those skilled in the art.

In the drawing: n

Figure l is a drum constructed in accordance with the invention. The wall is broken away to illustrate the details of the end portion.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in cross section taken on line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in, cross section showing the bottom flange and bead in plan.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom bead and flange. In this instance, the drum is upside down. l

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the flange and bead shown in an upright position taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3. i

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the flange shown in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the container showing the cover removed.

In the drawing, the body of the drum is indicated generally at I and comprises a cylindrical wall 2 which preferably is made up of layers or laminations (not shown) of paper appropriately glued together in the manner understood by those the wall to extend inwardly of the body and form a foundation for closure of the tube or body portion. The inturned flange 3 is integral with the wall 2 and is characterized chiefly in that it is made up of pleats or corrugations 4, each consisting of surface portions 5 overlapping surface connecting portions 5. The pleats are in spaced circumferential relationship, as shown in Figure 3, the number being adjusted in accordance with formed, cause the surfaces of the flangeto be quite rough and corrugated. However, to overcome this formation the ability of the paperboard to be swaged 4is utilized. By the application of pressure upon the surfaces of the flange, particularly when the material is moist, the raised overlapping portions are squeezed and the intermediate areas are upset. In this manner, the pleat surfaces and the surfaces of the portions intermediate them are brought into flush relationship as shown in Figure 6.

It is preferable to turn in so much of the wall of the container as is necessary to form a flange having an inner diameter which is approximately half the diameter of the container itself. These dimensions are not requisite. It may be pointed out that if the flange is very narrow the foundation, even though corrugated, tends to be relatively weakened, and if the flange be of greater width the increased expense is not commensurate with the gain in strength.

The turning in of the flange and the 'pleatng operation by which the flange is configurated and the surfaces of it made smooth are utilized in the construction of-both the bottom and the top .of the container, and for this reason the flange utilized in the formation of the cap or lid or cover` for the container is not described in detail` At the bottom of the containenhowever, it is.

preferable that the flange be configurated to provide a central portion indicated generally at 1.

residing in a plane parallel to but spaced inwardly from the marginal portion of the flange which is indicated generally at 8. In other Words, the container is provided with an annular bead 8 extending beyond the central portion of the flange 'I with an interconnecting wall 9 between the two. A central recess which is indicated generally at I0 (Figure 1) is provided in this manner.

The annular bead is of such width that it provides an annular recess II internally of the container, that is, a recess bounded by the bead walls 8 and 9 and the wall 2 of the container. Since the flange is turned inwardly from the body of the container all of the portions of this formation are integral with one another. In the preferred structure the offset portion is formed in the pleated flange by an upsetting operation.

The end of the container is closed by means of disc members I2, I3 and I 4. The disc I2 resides within the bottom recess I0 and is wedged against thewall 9 of the annular bead. The disc I3 is cut to fit within the aperture in the bottom flange and is preferably of paperboard` which is of substantially the same thickness as the ange,

ii, that is, adjacent the interconnecting wall d lu actueel The disc member I4 is dimensioned to fit snugly the interior diameter of the body so that it is free to be pressed in position.

However, intermediate the disc members i3 and l a sealing member i is installed. This 5 comprises. a sheet which may be of relatively thin material disposed over the surface of the disc 4i3 and over the surface of the flange. so as to extend downwardly within -the annular recess and preferably across the bottom of th'e recess. If desirable, it may also extend upwardly along the wall of the container, l

The sealing sheet i5 is wedged in position by a ring iS cut of paperboard or like material and dimensioned to fit snugly within the recess and press the material of the sealing sheet against the interconnecting wall 9 of the annular bead. This ring is of such thickness that its upper surface resides .in-iush'relationshlp with the surface 20 of the sealing member i5, so that when the bottom disc l is installed within the vcontainer a rm foundation for it is provided.

. All of these members may be cemented in position by means of glue or suitable adhesive and it is also desirable in most instances to stitch annularly. asy at I1. through the disc members i2, i4 and i5 and the central oset portion of the bottom flange.

As previously explained; to prevent contamination of the bottom member i6 in those inf stances where chemicals of different types are shipped one after another in the container. a. napkin sheet IB may be disposed across the face nf the bottom disc i4. The end of the wall of the body opposite the bottom is provided with a counterturned extension i9. This may be formed either by an actual turning operation or simply by omitting material at this point when the cylinder for th'e container is made up of the 40 laminations of paper.

The cover of the container whichy is indicated generally at 26 is comprised of an annular wall portion 2| which is of the same diameter as the body of the container; the internal diameter oi the cover-ring is such 'that it ts telescopically over the counterturnedportion I9. This. arrangement provides a joint line 23 at the exterior of the container around which a strip of adhesive tape may be attached. so as to seal the joint.

As previously explained, the top'oi the container is provided with an inturned flange made similarly to that utilized at the bottom. but in this instance the flange need not necessarily contain the central offset portion. Instead. this flange extends laterallyv from the wall of the cover and to it are attached cover members 2Q at the outside and 25 at the inside. In the aper-l ture at the inturned flange at the covera filler disc 28 is utilized and the disc members 2t, 25 60 and 26 all preferably are adhesively united. As in the construction of the bottom. an annular row of stitches 2 extends through the disc members 2d and 25 and the inturned flange. so as firmly to unite all of theseiparts. The portion iQ of the body ts well up into the ring and terrni' nates adjacent or in abutment with the surface of the cover top.

The disc 2t preferably extends to the periphery of the outer cover, and the disc 25 ts snugly 70 against the internal surface of the cover wall..

`A sealing sheet or napkin 23 alsoA is positioned against the internal face of the disc member 25 to finish the interior of the top.\

The neck i@ of the body, which extends within the cover, is indented asv at 2S. with vent flutes arranged to permit air to passinto or out of the container when the cover is removed or placed in position. Several of' these flutes spaced about the periphery of the neck,vmake the installation or removal of the cover an easy operation.

' At the bottom of the container the weight of the contents tend to exert a bulging pressure upon the bottom members, while at the top the only pressure which is subjected upon the structure is localized at the rim portion, as inthe instance when thecontainers are stacked one upon another in a pile. The annular bead at the bottom withstands the bulging action since the stitches interconnect the pleated flange and the 'disc members which bridge the opening.

The annular ring i6, in turn, rigidiiles the bead structureand prevents this bead from becoming flatted at localized portions of its periphery, so that no difficulty is encountered in rolling the container -or drum along the bead in the manner which is usually followed by freight handlers as the drum is being filled with heavy material. Th'e pleats, in turn. further strengthen the structure againstlateral distortions so that the container, even though constructed of materials of standard weight and thickness and strength, is capable of carrying heavier loads than those of a similar size, made in accordance with the standardized specications which have been adoptedv in the industry. Having described` my invention I claim: y l. A paperboard container which is comprised of a cylindrical body portion made up of laminations of lpaper material having amarginal lamimated portion at one of its ends turned inwardly -io provide an integral flange. the said flange being made up of interconnecting pleats formed by interconnected reverse folds, the said pleats svmmetrically overlapping the material conriguous therewith and extending radially toward the bodv portion in spaced circumferential relationship, the said pleats being embedded in pressed relationship in recesses in said flange such such that the faces of said ange are flat and smooth.

2. A paperboard container which is comprised of a cylindrical body portion made up of laminations of paper material having a marginal similarly laminated portion at one oi' its ends turned inwardly to provide an integral flange. the said flange being made up of interconnecting pleats extending radially toward the body portion in spaced circumferential relationship, the said pleats substantially symmetrically 'overlapping the portions of the flange which are contiguous to the pleats and which interconnect the pleats and residing in pressed relationship with one another such that the facesof the ange are flat and smooth and means fastened tor-aid ange providing therewith a closure for the end of the body. Y

3. A paperboard container which'is comprised of a. cylindrical body portion made up of laminated paper material having a. marginalsimilarly laminated portion at one of its ends turned v inwardly to provideY an integral flange, pleats formed by interconnected symmetrically reverse folds oppositely arranged in said flange, the'respective folds at one surface' of the-flange overlapping the corresponding reverse folds .at the other surface of the flange, and the said pleats residing in pressed relationship with one another such that the faces of the flange are flat and smooth, and disc. members attached to the inner aud outer faces of said ange.

4. A paperboard container which is comprised of a cylindrical body portion having a marginal portion at one of its ends turned inwardly to provide an integral flange of substantial thickness, the saidl flange being made upfof interconnecting pleats extending radially toward the body portion in spaced circumferential relationship, the said pleats having marginal portions symmetrically overlapping the contiguous portions of `the flange interconnecting the pleats at the opposite sides thereof, the central portion of the flange being offset inwardly from the circumferential portion whereby an annular rim is delineated upon the body of the container beyond the flange, and disc means providing a closure for said body carried by said vange within said rim.

5. A paperboard container which is comprised of a cylindrical body portionhaving a marginal portion at one of its ends turned inwardly to provide an integral flange of substantial thickness, the said flange being made up of interconnecting pleats extending radially` toward the body portion in spaced circumferential relationship, the central portion of the angebeing offset inwardly from the circumferential .portion of the flange to provide an annular rim upon the exterior of the body and an annular recess within it, ring means wedged within said recess and disc means providing a closure for said body carried by said flange.

tainer body portion,'and to provide` relatively oiset portions of said disc, an annular recess internally of said body, disc means attached to the central portion of said disc and forming a I interconnected pleats extending radially toward the wall portion in spaced circumferential relationship, the said pleats having the marginal portions thereof at the opposite edges symmetrically overlapping the respective contiguous portions of the `flange interconnecting the pleats, the said pleats residing in a plane substantially flush with the plane of the interconnecting portions of the flange, and also in pressed relationship to one another to form a flange having fiat faces, the said ange formed by the pleats having a central aperture, and disc members positioned with said aperture and upon th'e flat faces of said flange respectively.

8. In a paperboard container which is comprised of a circular wall portion forming a container body, and an inturned flange portion integral therewith and forming a foundation for a closure for the'body, the flangeportion being made of pleats which are integrallwith' one another and extend radially toward the wall portion in spaced circumferential relationship, the cen- 6. A paperboard container which is comprised of an annular disc comprised of interconnecting pleats extending radially in spaced relationship toward the periphery of the disc, of a circumferential portion extending in a plane parallel s with lbut offset from the'central portion of the disc, a Wall portion circumferentially integral with the oifsetportion of the annular disc and extending laterally therefrom to form a confor the body, and a ring member wedged within ROBERT C. CARLSON.

the annular recess. 

